Convertible corner bed ensemble



Oct. 16, 1962 c. A. PINK ETAL CONVERTIBLE CORNER BED ENSEMBLE 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Till Iii.

Filed Nov. 16, 1959 Oct. 16, 1962 c. A. PINK ETAL CONVERTIBLE CORNER BED ENSEMBLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 16, 1959 5 1? \wlmw d QR i N J W W W4 M W w \L Q Wm h EN c n m nhlmfi M 1 T ..H! ,1 7 n o w m m E :1 A F 1 r f; II l l mm 1|||l|..l ill i tat 3,tl58,123 CONVERTIBLE QURNER BED ENSEMBLE Chester A. Pink, Highland Park, and Ervin H. Thierfelder, Wheaten, llh, assignors to The Englander Company, lne, Chicago, llh, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 853,335 9 Claims. (61. -2)

This invention relates generally to convertible bed ensembles and especially to a convertible bed ensemble of the corner type.

In convertible bed ensembles which are adapted to be disposed in the corner of a room, it is common practice to construct the headboard integral with the bed unit. Units so fashioned are occasionally damaged, particularly in use, due to the fact that the headboard projects rather pronouncedly from the bed. Appearance considerations preclude the provision of adequate bracing for such a headboard.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide an improved convertible bed ensemble of the corner type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convertible bed ensemble having a novel headboard arrangement.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a convertible bed ensemble of the corner type which is convenient to use and which is characterized by long life.

Additional objects and features of the invention pertain to the particular structure and arrangements whereby the above objects are attained.

A structure in accord with the invention includes a corner table having a forwardly extending portion which defines vertical axis means, headboard means mounted to the table to be pivotal about the vertical axis means, convertible bed means horizontally swingable independently of the headboard means toward and away from a line bisecting the corner of the room, and backrest means affixed to the table and including a vertically swingable bolster member adapted to overlie a portion of one side of the bed means and to block movement of the headboard means when disposed in one position, the bolster member being further adapted to release the headboard means when disposed in another position, the backrest means further including a frame providing pivotal support for the bed means.

The invention, both to its structure and mode of opera tion, will be better understood by reference to the following disclosure and drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible bed ensemble constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the daytime mode in solid outline and the nighttime mode in broken outline;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the ensemble of FIG. 1, taken from behind the headboard to show the method of mounting the headboard to the corner table and to show the latch employed in securing the headboard to the bed unit;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary View through the section 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the backrest means of the ensemble of FIG. 1, showing the bed units removed in order to reveal the cooperation between the swingable bolster member and the storage chest; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view through the section 5-5 of FIG. 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 1, a convertible bed ensemble of the corner type is shown to include a table It) which is adapted to be disposed in the corner of a room. Convertible bed units 12 and 14-, comprising mattresses 16 and 18 respectively and box spring units 29 and 22 respectively, are arranged to extend beyond table 10 along adjacent walls of the room. Bed units 12 and 14 are rendered rollable by being mounted on casters 24-.

.lso arranged to extend beyond table it along adjacent walls of the room are backrests 26 and 28. These backrests are rigidly fastened to table 10 as will be brought out more fully hereinafter. Backrests 26 and 28 are comprised of vertically swingable bolster members 3t) and 32 respectively and storage chests 34 and 36 respectively. These bolster members and storage chests are adapted to overlie a portion of one side of the corresponding bed units in the daytime mode illustrated in solid outline in FIG. 1.

Also included in the convertible, corner bed ensemble of the invention are headboards 38 and 46 which are independently, swingably mounted proximate to the forwardly extending leg 42 of table 1W.

Bed units 12 and 14 and headboards 38 and 40 are adapted to be horizontally reversibly swingable in the general direction indicated by arrows 44 and 46, i.e. in the general directions toward and away from a line bisecting the corner of the room in which the ensemble is arranged. The nighttime mode in which the bed units and headboards are swung toward this line is indicated in broken outline in FIG. 1.

Turning now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the headboard 40 is mounted to a leg member 48 by hinges 50 to pivot about a vertical axis proximate to leg 42. Furthermore, headboard it! is biased in the general direction away from table it by means of a spring 52 extending between a bracket 54 secured to headboard 4t) and a horizontal rod 56 fastened at one end to the leg 48. Like elements designated by like numerals are also associated with headboards 3'8.

Headboard 40 also carries a latch 58, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in which a C-shaped bracket 60 is secured to headboard 40 to receive a latch bolt 62 slidably. A spring 64 biases bolt 62 in a downward direction. Latch bolt 62 is adapted to enter a hole in a tongue 66 when headboard 40 is aligned over the edge of a bedframe 68 which supports the bed unit 14. Tongue 66 is formed to be integral with a bracket 74 which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a back plate 72 of box spring unit 22. Plate 72 also cooperates with tongue 66 in provid ing a stop for headboard 4%.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 2, bed unit 14 is shown to be swingable about the pivot 74, a bedframe pivot arm 76 being attached to bedframe 68 and a backrest frame pivot arm 78 being afiixed to backrest frame side bar 80 to cooperate in this arrangement. It is important to note that pivot 74 replaces the caster at this corner of the bed unit 14. Like numerals have been used to designate like parts associated with the bed unit 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the side bar it} is shown securely fastened in braced relationship to a horizontal bar 82 of a backrest frame shown generally at 84. Frame 84 also includes an upright 86 which is secured to table 10 at suitable points such as that associated with plate 88.

Upright 86 also supports one end of a plate 96 which serves as the top of storage chest 36. The bolster member 32 is vertically swingably mounted to the plate 9i) as by hinges 92. Furthermore, end pieces 94 and 96 cooperate with a floor element 98 and a back member 100 in defining the storage chest 36. Advantageously, supports 102 are upraised from horizontal bar 82 into structural relationship with the floor element 98. Backrest frame 84 additionally includes a foot member shown generally at 104, foot 104 serving to prevent tipping of the backrest frame 84.

As will be recognized, backrest 28 including backrest frame 84 and its associated functional elements find counterparts in the arrangement of backrest 26. Advantageously, a straight brace 106 interconnects in the side bars 80 while cross members 108 further assist in stabilizing the convertible bed ensemble.

In accordance with important features of the invention, certain hazards, incumbent in the relationship of bolster member 32 and storage chest 36 are mitigated. Consider first the fact that, as it is customarily constructed, bolster member 32 weighs approximately 40 pounds. Accordingly, uncontrolled return of member 32 from its upwardly swung position could seriously damage a persons hand caught along the edge of the floor element 98. Therefore, the forward edge of floor element 98 is cut away or relieved so that bolster element 32 confronts storage chest 36 only along the front edge of end piece 96.

Furthermore, the front edge of floor element 98 has a sponge-rubber bumper element 110 aflixed to it. With reference to FIG. 5, bumper 110 may be arranged to provide a fingerspace 112 when bolster member 32 closes storage chest 36. Thus is provided an easy means of grasping the bolster member 32.

As is also best shown in FIG. 5, bolster member 32 is provided with a wide extending portion 114 which is arranged to dispose the center of gravity of the bolster member 32 a considerable distance beyond the axis of hinges 92 in the raised position indicated in broken outline. This feature of the invention minimizes the likelihood of bolster member 32 being accidentally dislodged from its upraised position. Accordingly, a safe, stable structure is provided.

Having thus described one construction of the invention, it is important now to state how the illustrated embodiment operates. Considering that the convertible bed ensemble of the invention is disposed in its daytime mode illustrated in solid outline in FIG. 1, the ensemble may be converted to its nighttime mode in the following sequence of operations. The bed units 12 and 14 are grasped at any convenient locations to be swung horizontally along the floor of the room in the general directions of arrows 44 and 46 respectively until they are disposed adjacent each other as is indicated in broken outline in FIG. 1. The bolster members 30 and 32 are next grasped by inserting a hand in the finger-space 112 and raised in a vertically upward direction.

As the bolster members pass out of contact with headboard members 38 and 40, these headboard members will pivot outwardly from table under the influence of springs 52. When headboards 38 and 40 approach alignment with the bed units, the inertia of the moving heatboards will cause the latch bolts 62 to ride up over the tongues 66 against the bias of springs 64 until the holes in the tongues are aligned with the bolts, at which time the bias of the springs 64 will urge the bolts into the holes latching the headboards to the corresponding bed units.

With the bolster members 30 and 32 upraised, the pillows and bedding stored in chests 34 and 36 will be readily available; and the bed units 12 and 14 may be easily made up for sleeping purposes.

When it is desired to return the bed units to their daytime mode, it is first necessary to remove the pillows and bedding from the bed units for storage in the chests 34 and 36. Subsequently, the bed units 12 and 14 with the headboards 38 and 40 latched in position are swung back toward table 10. When the headboards come to rest beneath the edges of table 10, the bolster members 30 and 32 are swung vertically downwardly to block the outward movement of the headboards which would be caused by springs 52.

In this position, it is important to note, the latch bolts 62 engage the bars 56 as is generally indicated in FIG. 3. This engagement causes the latch bolt to ride up along the bar 56 until it is withdrawn from the hole in tongue 66. Thus, when the headboard is disposed in the daytime mode, latch 58 is arranged to release the headboard from the corresponding bed unit.

The specific example herein shown and described is illustrative only. Various changes in structure will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and these changes are to be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In a convertible bed ensemble, the combination comprising: a table adapted to be disposed in the corner of a room and having a forwardly extending portion which defines vertical axis means; a pair of headboards mounted to be independently pivotal about said axis means; a pair of convertible beds horizontally swingable independently of and underlying said headboard means; and a pair of backrest assemblies affixed to said table to extend therebeyond along adjacent walls of said room, said backrest assemblies each including a vertically swingable bolster member adapted to overlie a portion of one side of a corresponding bed unit and to block movement of a corresponding headboard when disposed in one position and adapted to release that headboard when disposed in another position, said backrest assemblies further including frame means providing pivotal support for said bed units.

2. In a convertible bed ensemble, the combination comprising: a table adapted to be disposed in the corner of a room and having a forwardly extending portion which defines vertical axis means; a pair of headboards independently mounted to be oppositely pivotal about said axis means, said headboards being biased away from said table; a pair of convertible bed units horizontally swingable independently of and underlying said headboards, said bed units being swingable toward and away from a line bisecting the corner of said room; and a pair of backrest assemblies atfixed to said table to extend therebeyond along adjacent walls of said room, said backrest assemblies each including a vertically swingable bolster member adapted to overlie a portion of one side of a corresponding bed unit and to block movement of a corresponding headboard when disposed in one position and adapted to release that headboard when disposed in another position, said backrest assemblies further including frame means providing pivotal support for said bed units.

3. In a convertible sofa-bed ensemble, the combination comprising an article of furniture, a convertible bed disposed adiacent said article of furniture and shiftable horizontally with respect thereto between a sofa position and a bed position, a headboard mounted on said article of furniture and independently of said bed for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and substantially through the same degree of movement as said bed, releasable blocking means preventing movement of the headboard when the bed is moved from the sofa position to the bed position and permitting movement of the headboard to its headboard position with the bed in the bed position upon release of said blocking means, and means for automatically shifting the headboard to its headboard position upon release of said blocking means.

4. In a convertible sofa-bed ensamble as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is provided a backrest connected to the article of furniture and including a bolster providing the blocking means and connecting to said backrest for movement between headboard blocking and releasing positions.

5. In a convertible sofa-bed ensemble as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means automatically shifting the headboard comprises spring means mounted between the headboard and the article of furniture.

6. In a convertible sofa-bed ensemble as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is provided latching means connecting the headboard in its headboard position to the bed whereby the headboard and bed are moved as a unit from the bed position to the sofa position, and wherein there is provided means on the article of furniture coacting with said latching means to release the same upon movement of the headboard and bed as a unit to the sofa position.

7. In a convertible s0fa-bed ensemble as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is provided latching means connecting the headboard in its headboard position to the bed whereby the headboard and bed are moved as a unit from the bed position to the sofa position.

8. In a convertible sofa-bed ensemble as claimed in claim 7, wherein the latching means between the headboard and bed is automatically released upon movement of the headboard and bed to the sofa position by engagement with cooperating means on the article of furniture.

9. In a convertible sofa-bed ensemble as claimed in claim 8, wherein the automatic shifting means comprises spring means to shift the headboard to its headboard position with the bed in the bed position upon release of said blocking means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,377,958 Mann June 12, 1945 2,602,937 Frey July 15, 1952. 2,630,581 Ziegenfuss Mar. 10, 1953 2,672,624 Giusefli Mar. 23, 1954 2,806,228 Ziegenfuss Sept. 17, 1957 2,904,796 Frey Sept. 22, 1959 2,909,789 Bailey Oct. 27, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 201,241 Switzerland Feb. 1, 1939 

